Hotel Cardoso

Cardoso hotel is situated in the heart of Maputo on the Maputo cliff top and host breathtaking views over Maputo Bay and the city, spacious gardens, large swimming pool and tranquil terraces. Cardoso Hotel is the ideal venue for both business and leisure traveler. You can expect fresh, bright appearances in all of the bedrooms, lounge, bar and restaurants.

After a long day of activities, enjoy a swim in the hotel’s key feature – the outdoor swimming pool, or cool down with a drink while enjoying the surroundings of Cardoso Hotel.

The restaurant and bar offer a wide variety of food of which you can choose from. Choose from a fine a la carte dinner, a buffet for lunch and dinner, a quick snack, or just a relaxing drink in the bar. The Hotel Cardoso is 5 minutes by car to the business centre of Maputo and just 15 minutes from Mavalane Airport (Maputo International Airport). Parking for 54 cars is available.

The following facilities are available for all our guests:

•Gymnasium

•Airport service

•Parking

•Currency exchange

•Swimming pool

•Travel desk

•Golf

•Fishing and boat trips

All our bedrooms take advantage from being individually decorated and contain all the amenities of a deluxe international hotel. Hotel Cardoso has a total of 130 rooms comprising of 114 double rooms, 12 Flamingo Executive rooms and 4 beautifully decorated suites.

All rooms have the following:

•Private bathroom

•Air conditioning

•Satellite TV

•International direct-dial telephone

•Hairdryer

•24 hour room service

•Wireless internet access

•Guest laundry and dry cleaning facilities are available

The Flamingo Executive suites are larger than the other rooms and have a more spacious seating area and balcony.

The Luxury suites have a large lounge area and separate bedroom. The lounge has both seating and dining areas to offer. The long balcony offer stunning views of the bay and city, which can be enjoyed across within the full width of the lounge area.

The hotel has a fully equipped modern gymnasium for those who wish to stay in shape. Airport pickups and car hiring can be arranged if needed. The hotel can accommodate up to 54 cars. The following can be arranged from the travel desk:

•Golf

•Tennis

•Fishing

•Boat trips

•Beach visits

•Shopping trips to local markets

•Visit local attractions such as Museums

Restaurant and Bar: Por do Sol

Hotel Cardoso has a wide variety of dining opportunities such as:

•Fine a la carte dinner

•Buffet lunch and dinner

•Poolside snack

•Late night snack in the lounge

Breakfast usually consist of a selection of fruits, yogurts, mueslis and cereals, cold meats and cheeses, hot dishes and eggs cooked as you like them. Important meetings, special occasions or simply feeling like spoiling yourself, dine à la carte and enjoy superb international and Mozambican dishes and excellent wine.

Maputo is a sprawling capital city with a population of about two million people and a large, busy harbour.

No diving takes place from Maputo itself. This city is mainly a business capital city with a thriving harbour and ferry. The buildings are old and war torn but still standing. The streets are dirty but even so it is not unbearable and very much worth exploring. The food is very good especially at some of Maputo’s fine hotels. The streets are lined with locals selling anything they can get their hands.

Maputo is wet, humid and hot during the summer months from October to April, days and nights are hot and humid during this time with temperatures averaging 88ºF (31ºC). The cooler, drier months between April and September are the best time to travel to Maputo, with warm and sunny days, cool nights and rainfall is scarce.

Shops and Fuel

Facilities are the best that you will find in all of Mozambique. It includes banks, grocery shops, clothing stores and pharmacies. Many fuel stations are available but not all of them have fuel all the time. Street cafés, vibrant markets and an exotic night life typify the Maputo experience. The infamous Fere de Populare has dozens of bars and discos where Mozambicans dance well into the night to seductive Latino beats. There are also some excellent - and fantastically expensive - restaurants where you can enjoy beers and Peri-Peri prawns.

Transport / Roads

Maputo is easily accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles; a 4x4 is not required. There are a few potholes and areas under repair so keep an eye out for them. Maputo International Airport is the main international airport of Mozambique. Visitors fly in directly to the airport which is situated three miles (5km) northwest of Maputo.

Maputo’s transportation needs are mainly served by minibus taxis, which are believed to transport the majority of the city’s commuters. There is also a state-owned bus company with a bus fleet that currently numbers some 37 buses. The minibuses are largely used imports from Japan, and they carry most of the public transport activity. There are two major bus terminals in the city: one at Baixa ("downtown"), and another one at Museu ("the Museum").

A regular ferry service takes visitors from Maputo’s fishing harbour to Inhaca Island to see the fascinating maritime museum, historic lighthouse and to have lunch or overnight at the hotel.

Activities

Activities in Maputo includes day trips to Inhaca Island and city sightseeing. Maputo has amazing architecture and history and the town is well worth a stroll.

About Maputo in Scuba Mozambique’s travel diary...

The city of Maputo struck me as a huge lively war torn market. Everywhere you looked was old buildings baring the scars of war yet on that very same corner is a bustle of traders selling anything from cell phones to fresh produce. Do not expect to find shops to South African standard although during August 2007 construction was underway to a new mall in the city centre very close to the harbour. Some shops were already completed and included a NIKE store, Kentucky Fried Chicken and a couple of other well known shops. For things such as buying Mosquito repellent, going to the bank and more however took a bit more effort. The best way to go around the city would be in a private taxi that your guesthouse can arrange for you. Be prepared though to sit in an old banger about to fall apart. It’s all part of the experience. When driving in Maputo yourself you may find yourself driving in circles and that parking is a nightmare. Finding the harbour from where the ferry can take you to Inhaca Island or across to the other side of the mainland is however easier to find. At no point did we feel threatened or feared for our safety in Maputo. The city people are kind and friendly, maybe a bit pushy but that is only because they are so desperate to sell their goods.

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Shark Alley Dive And Travel Centre is a scuba dive travel specialist to the
Southern Africa countries of Mozambique and South Africa.
Contact us for scuba dive holidays to Mozambique, accommodation only
holidays or non-diver qualified snorkel holidays to Mozambique and South
Africa.